Mount Forest agriculture grounds to be re-purposed
KENILWORTH – The future of the Mount Forest agricultural grounds has been unknown since the agricultural society announced it was dissolving last spring.
The society had run a community fair at the time, but cited a lack of volunteers and community interest for its decision to bring the 160-year old event to an end.
A society-township lease agreement for the property ends March 31 and township staff were directed by council to come up with a plan for how the township-owned property and the society-owned buildings (barns, bleachers and an announcer stand) could be used.
In a staff report to council on Jan. 15, it was recommended:
- a small barn running north to south be used to store the township’s smaller lawn and ball maintenance equipment and supplies;
- another barn running east to west be rented to local organizations for storage;
- that bleachers be repurposed at other recreation areas; and
- the announcer stand be considered as a possible site for a bandshell/pavilion.
Council approved those recommendations, including that staff keep the grounds in mind for future recreational space.
Township recreation services manager Tom Bowden noted in his report to council a recommendation in the township’s recreation master plan calling for another ball diamond in Mount Forest.
“Staff note that this site may be an ideal location for an additional diamond when the need arises in the next five to 10 years,” Bowden wrote.
Bowden told council he has spoken with two non-profit organizations that have expressed interest in renting the one building for storage, however nothing has been finalized.
